Flanderization

A visual demonstration of Flanderization; over time, certain features of the character are exaggerated while details are lost, to the point that the character becomes merely a caricature of their initial self.

Flanderization is the process through which a fictional character's essential traits are oversimplified to the point where they constitute their entire personality, or at least exaggerated while other traits remain, over the course of a serial work. The term Flanderization was coined by TV Tropes[1] in reference to Ned Flanders of The Simpsons, who was caricatured over the show's run from a friendly and good-hearted neighbor (among other characteristics, while maintaining his Christian faith) into a dogmatic, evangelical "bible-thumper".[2] Flanderization is often associated with and cited as a consequence of "jumping the shark", a term used to demonstrate a creative work's gradual decline in quality which leads to a sudden decline in popularity.

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